Statistically, nothing is going to happen to us after we go to bed. But I can pretty much guarentee that my son is going to have a hard life. Not working out in the fields hard, but once he hits elementary school he's going to be teased, maybe even bullied, and somehow as his mother I have to cram enough self-confidence into him and magically know the right words to say that will make it so he can get through it. And then the real hard stuff is going to happen, where his heart will probably get broken once or twice, he'll make some bad friends who'll enjoy pointing out that he doesn't really count as a human, and he'll make some mistakes that could lead to some serious scarring. And those are just the things that he has some slight control over! My baby is still five months from even being born, how does any mother get any sleep!
With this in mind, I'm approching this topic by simply pointing out the scriptures that stood out to me and what I felt like they were saying. The end result - hopefully I'll be able to sleep tonight.
16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.
Jesus loves little children. He will love and watch over my children. Bad things will still happen to them, maybe even horrific things, but he cares. He will care about my son, more than I will be able to. When it comes to capacity to love, he wins. That means that I need to trust him. Everything bad that happens will be 100% necessary - otherwise I doubt he would let it happen.
3 For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.
I can't do very much. I can't control people or the weather - and I certainly won't be able to control my kids. God's the only one who is in control, and when he goes out at night like he will someday, God will go with him even if I'm stuck at home wondering what he's doing. The nice thing is that God is the supreme ruler of the universe with complete knowledge, wisdom and love - I can trust Him.
15 But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have beheld his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love.
I am never alone. I may feel alone, and sometimes that may be necessary to teach me endurance, but he will never leave me to face a trial or hardship alone. With him I'm able to survive anything. I have so far, being able to turn to him for strength may be one of the most important things I could have learned from everything I've been through so far because as soon as this baby is born it is no long just me on the line, it is my son too. I'm grateful for the knowledge that Christ is there.
19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—
I am weak. I am so scared to be a mom, I feel so inadequate. I am not a child care professional. But with God's help and guidance, I can do this.
Finally, there is a reason why God has made it so we can only live moment by moment, day by day. If we had to act on 20 years worth of worrying we would go crazy, so we only have to deal with the worries of right now. As my mom keeps telling me, I need to be focused on diaper changing and teething right now, not on teenage problems he'll have later. I just feel blessed that every morning I'll be able to pray this last scripture in my heart.
